The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Grade 2)- $250.000 Purse
PIM- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
May 17, 2019

Book Of Aggravation has been successful in the early portion of her three year old season, but could not quite find her way into the KYO field. She put together consistent results in the stakes that she attempted, and frequently cashed checks for her trainer, but was lacking that one race that we could point too as her signature win. It seemed as though the Black-Eyed Susan represented a great chance for her, and she would be our pick, as well as being the second choice amongst the betting public. She would still have to deliver, and after nine furlongs at PIM, she would prevail over the upset-minded longshot Ghost In The Shell to get that signature win. For trainer Estero Farms, it is his first win in the stake, and the second time that jockey J R Velazquez has ridden the winner. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:48.50, fourth quickest in the stake’s history. Let’s take a look.

(½ Mile- :47.74)- Distorted Express is the quickest out of the gate for trainer D J C Racing Stables, but she eventually hands over the lead to Aml Racing’s Cover Girl as they approach the first turn. Cover Girl maintains a length advantage at this point, with Distorted Express now content to stalk. Our eventual winner, Book Of Aggravation runs third. She was not initially strong out of the gate, but advanced on the end of the frontstretch and into the turn to now be two and a half lengths from the lead. Along her inside was a filly she’d see again, Ghost In The Shell, from Spankys Barn. At the back, Realize, the post time favorite from Gdp Inc, held a slight advantage over Chais Princess (LionKing Stables) and Innocent Approach (Mb Stables).

(3/4 Mile- 1:11.51)- During the backstretch, we don’t see much change in the running order, but the top of the turn, just as they hit this marker, you could see several looking to make their move. Distorted Express was looking like she may have difficulty keeping up. Cover Girl still led, but was looking vulnerable. Ghost In The Shell did well to come off the rail here and look to move around the pacesetter while Book Of Aggravation closed in as well while running in the fourth lane. The threesome at the back made up some ground as well.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- At this point, the field had less then three lengths separating front and back. Cover Girl is still credited with the lead, but the advantage was now merely a head over both Ghost In The Shell and Book Of Aggravation. Both of them looked to be in a great position at this point. Others were moving forward too, and a nice opening had been created between Distorted Express, who was clinging to her spot at this point, and Book Of Aggravation, for Innocent Approach to come on through. Realize moved up just behind Cover Girl but would need something to open up. Chais Princess was on the rail without much room to run.

(Finish- 1:48.50)- In the stretch, both Book Of Aggravation and Ghost In The Shell were full of run and pulled away from the rest of the field. As they got closer to the wire, Book Of Aggravation would have just a little more power in her stride to win this race by half a length. Innocent Approach came on through to be third, but never threatened for anything more. Cover Girl won the headbob over Chais Princess for fourth in the battle of new and old Aml Racing fillies. Realize disappointed with a lack of stretch response, finishing even with Distorted Express at the back.

About The Winner- Book Of Aggravation, trained by Estero Farms, and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a three year old filly by Aggravation, and is out of Book Return. She was bred in Florida by Estero Farms as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in 11 starts, and its her first stake win of any kind. Her career earnings are now $375.340.

Track: Fast
Time: :47³  1:11²  1:36   1:48²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 7 – 2 Paid 62.40
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 2 – 4 Paid 442.80

Scratched: None

Winner picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES